Zwelling left a legacy

It was a sad day for all of us when my dear friend Judge Howard “Butch” Zwelling passed.

Butch, however, was a friend to everyone he met. He left us with a wonderful legacy of service in the courtroom as a brilliant lawyer and judge. Also his fine tenure as mayor of Zanesville, where he strove to make life better for the citizens of Muskingum County.

I fondly remember Butch’s sense of humor, his attentive demeanor toward the issues of government and his endless energy in dealing with the problems and needs of the people he served so well. Butch was also a pioneer in bringing wonderful events and entertainment to Zanesville, as he loved music of all kinds. He always had a smile and good word for everyone, and was one of the most devoted fathers I knew.

We will miss you my friend. He made life a little easier and more bearable. He showed us the example that hard work and dedication to something greater than one’s self are the true benchmarks to which one should strive and leave as a legacy…ah-lahv hashalom, yeh-hi zikh-ro bah-rukh.